- Brain was too tired to blog much this week, because copy edits take All The Focus. (But YAY copy edits = one step closer to BOOK. I bought shoes to celebrate.) Next week should be better. She said, from within the growing shadow of an approaching (but still one month out, so ages ahaha) deadline. At any rate, it's definitely time for a new I Heart post, because I have things to recommend. And I think we're ordering a lightbox, so that should be like magical happy-times. Winter, man. This year it is not fun. (But I content myself knowing that come summer, there will be a nice stretch of time in LISBON in a supercute apartment.)
- Leila makes a shocking discovery.
- On character morality and Maslow's heirarchy of needs. (Via Cyn.)
- Agent and wonderful human Barry Goldblatt created the Angela Johnson Scholarship for New Students of Color or Ethnic Minority at my MFA alma mater, the Vermont College of Fine Arts' program in writing for children and young adults. The deadline to apply is April 30; please spread the word to eligible writers you know who might be interested.
- My dear pal Laurel Snyder has a new middle grade novel out this week titled Seven Stories Up. I highly recommend it to all people of good taste, and also that you follow up with her Bigger Than a Breadbox afterward. She also wrote a great post about the book and how her own grandmother became part of it. Snippet: "I tell kids all the time: you only need one friend. And I believe this, deeply. In my own childhood this was absolutely true. As a kid I could handle any amount of bullying, aloneness, or family drama, because I had one real best friend. One person who thought I was the most awesome person in the world. Even if my jeans were cheap and I was no good at kickball."
- And speaking of fab books about to enter the world, Jeff VanderMeer's Annilation, the first in his Southern Reach trilogy (the entire thing will be out this year!), is out next week. You want this book. I have long been a fan of Jeff's work, and I can tell you, this is his best work yet. A great read.
- Hobo glossaries. Per this:
My new hobo name is Old Miso Soup Sweater, because I just spilled miso soup all over my sweater.
— Gwenda Bond (@Gwenda) January 31, 2014
- A whole mad hobo twitter convo ensued. I love twitter. Have a great weekend, my Weary Willies, and try to stay out of boodle jail. Unless it's warmer there.